Who doesn’t like a playful pet? When you have a cute little furball in the house, you obviously want to get involved in an energetic and fun-filled play with them. One of the most common interactive plays for pets is a fetch game that dogs ace at. But, if you are a proud cat parent, do not think fetch is not for them. Though cats are usually considered as independent and un-trainable, they are intelligent enough to learn anything you want them to. With patience and appropriate training, you can teach your feline friend how to play fetch and add some fun to their playtime.

In this article, we will help you understand a cat’s connection with the fetch game, and provide a step-by-step guide to teach a cat to play fetch, and some useful tips for training cats.

Why do cats play fetch

Playing fetch is not rare or random for cats. When your fur friend brings you their toy, they consider the toy as their prey. By fetching the toy and bringing it to you, your fur baby tries to show you their hunting skills and share with you their ‘kill’. It is a completely natural behaviour. This can also be a way for your kitty to get your attention and indicate that they are interested in playing this kind of game with you. So though not as obvious as their canine counterparts, cats can naturally like the game and learn fetch easily.

Steps to teach a cat to fetch

Your independent catto usually does not have the urge to please you and thus will take time to behave the way you want them to. So, learning fetch can be slow for your furry companion. Be patient, and follow these steps to help your furball learn to play fetch:

1. Gather all necessary equipment

Before you start with the training, equip yourself with all the essential things that you will need for it. Keep a good quantity of high-value cat treats handy. Grab a clicker and your cat’s favourite toy. It can be anything from a ball to an animal-shaped stuffed toy. You can also keep a small amount of catnip with you.

2. Find a quiet place & good time

Cats have a very short attention span and get distracted easily. To get their complete attention, select a time of the day when your furry friend is the most energetic, calm and happy. Select a place that has fewer distractions and gives both you and your catto a relaxed environment.

3. Rub catnip on the toy

Take your cat’s toy and rub a small amount of catnip on it to make it more appealing for your fur baby.

4. Throw the toy at a distance

Start with throwing the toy at a distance that is not too far from you and let your cat run to fetch it. You can increase the distance gradually when your fur friend learns to get the toy back to you.

5. Praise and offer treats

When your cat runs to get the toy, press the clicker, praise them with a verbal cue like ‘yes’ or ‘good’ in a jovial voice and offer them a treat. When your catto fetches the toy, press the clicker, praise them and offer a treat. When they bring the toy back to you, again press the clicker, praise them and offer a treat. Praise and reward, at all steps.

6. Repeat: establish a routine

Animals, especially cats, are creatures of habit and like to follow a set routine. The best way to make your furry bundle of joy a pro in the fetch game is to repeat the training and establish a routine for the play. This way your cat will not only learn to fetch fast but also enjoy the fun-filled game.

Useful tips for cat training

Cats may be less interested in learning tricks but can be trained on how to sit, when to be quiet, and so on. Go slow and follow these tips for a trouble-free and successful cat training spree:

• A reward is the key to encouraging cats. Just like any other pet animal, cats love rewards. It is therefore important to keep rewarding your catto handsomely during each step of their training journey.
• Start training early. Socialisation at the kitten stage helps cats adapt to learning new tricks quickly.
• Use a clicker as it makes training easy. The clicker helps shape your furry friend’s behaviour and train them to act the way you want them to.
• Keep training sessions short. Due to shorter attention spans, cats lose interest in an activity quickly. Shorter sessions help keep cats engaged for the duration you want them to pay attention.

In the end

Though a more popular game for dogs, fetch is a fun activity for cats as well. Cats may take a little longer to learn to play fetch, but they will enjoy this entertaining game for sure. Be patient and follow the above-mentioned steps to teach your furry companion the game. Also, keep in mind our training tips and train your catto like a pro. Once you have a routine set, there is no stopping for you and your cat to have a fun time together.